Schmidt Peterson Motorsports Pre-Race Notes & Quotes: Indy Lights Grand Prix presented by Cooper Tires

Topics:  Heamin Choi

Monica Hilton
Schmidt Peterson Motorsports
September 8, 2015

For more information contact:
Monica Hilton
monicah@spmindycar.com
608.669.3211

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Race Fast Facts
Indy Lights presented by Cooper Tires drivers: RC Enerson (No. 7), Heamin Choi (No. 21), Jack Harvey (No. 42), Ethan Ringel (No. 71), Scott Anderson (No. 77)
Event title: Indy Lights Grand Prix presented by Cooper Tires
Location: Mazda Raceway, Laguna Seca
Track: 2.238-mile, 11-turn, paved road racing track in Salinas, California
2015 event counter: The Indy Lights Grand Prix presented by Cooper Tires races are the 15th and 16th (of 16) for Indy Lights presented by Cooper Tires

Indy Lights presented by Cooper Tires track schedule
Test session: Thursday, September 10 from 10:40-11 a.m. and 3:50-4:20 p.m. PST
Practice sessions: Friday, September 11 from 10:30-11 a.m. and 4:10-4:40 p.m. PST
Qualifying: Saturday, September 12 from 8:45-9:15 a.m. PST
Race 1: Saturday, September 12 from 3:45-4:30 p.m. PST
Race 2: Sunday, September 13 from 2:40-3:40 p.m. PST

Broadcast Information
TV race broadcast: NBCSN
Radio race broadcast: IMS Radio Network, XM 209 and Sirius 213

Featured story: Heamin Choi to Pilot the #21 Indy Lights Entry for Schmidt Peterson Motorsports at Laguna Seca

Indianapolis, IN - September 8, 2015 - Seven-time Indy Lights championship-winning team Schmidt Peterson Motorsports (SPM) announced today that Korean driver Heamin Choi will make his Indy Lights debut in the Indy Lights Grand Prix presented by Cooper Tires at Mazda Raceway in Laguna Seca.
Thirty-one-year-old Choi is recognized as the first Korean to have raced in the Mazda Road to Indy Series (Pro Mazda, USF2000) and the first Korean driver to have participated in any race held in the U.S. His other achievements include the 2005 BAT Championship (Formula Korea), 2006 Korea GT championship (GT1), and 2013 Super Race GT driver's title. He was also the Samsung Everland scholarship driver from 2003 to 2005.
"I am very excited to participate in the Indy Lights event this weekend since it is my first time in Indy Lights," said Choi. "However, I am quite anxious since I have been racing with the GT car, which is heavier than the open wheel car, for the past two years and now I need to see how I adapt to the Indy Lights car.
"Since I am with one of the best teams, I am less worried about the car setup and race support, which allows me to concentrate on my performance. I understand that other contenders have gained an advantage through competing in the full session, however it is amusing that I have competed with most of the contenders in USF2000 and Pro Mazda.
"Laguna Seca track was my debut track in 2007 for the pro racing in the USA so I am up for the challenge in my Indy Lights debut there. My goal for this week is to prepare by utilizing various resources and adapt to Indy Lights as fast as possible, and to perform with my best of effort."
SPM team co-owner Sam Schmidt commented, "SPM is pleased with the interest we have received from drivers around the globe for participation in the Indy Lights series. Coming from Korea, Heamin is a perfect example of what we need more of in the series. His primary experience is in Asia in touring cars and other forms of motorsports, so it will be interesting to see him adapt to the new Lights chassis. We also appreciate the collaboration with Dallara, AAS and our own IndyCar team members to make this entry possible."
The Indy Lights presented by Cooper Tires season wraps up with the double-header weekend at Mazda Raceway. The Grand Prix presented by Cooper Tires weekend will take place on Saturday, September 12 and Sunday, September 13, and will be broadcast on NBC Sports Network.
Indy Lights Quotes:
RC Enerson (No. 7)
"I'm really looking forward to Laguna. We have had some great results, especially coming off of a win at Mid-Ohio. I think we can put out a great result in both races this weekend and see where that lands us for the championship."
Heamin Choi (No. 21)
"I am very excited to participate in the Indy Lights event this weekend since it is my first time in Indy Lights," said Choi. "However, I am quite anxious since I have been racing with the GT car, which is heavier than the open wheel car, for the past two years and now I need to see how I adapt to the Indy Lights car.
"Since I am with one of the best teams, I am less worried about the car setup and race support, which allows me to concentrate on my performance. I understand that other contenders have gained an advantage through competing in the full session, however it is amusing that I have competed with most of the contenders in USF2000 and Pro Mazda.
"Laguna Seca track was my debut track in 2007 for the pro racing in the USA so I am up for the challenge in my Indy Lights debut there. My goal for this week is to prepare by utilizing various resources and adapt to Indy Lights as fast as possible, and to perform with my best of effort."
Jack Harvey (No. 42)
"Laguna is probably one of the most famous racing tracks in the world and it's definitely a bucket-list track for me. I'm feeling very lucky and honored that I finally get the chance to drive on this fantastic circuit. It's a big weekend but I've been in situations like this many times before. I'm confident that we have the ability to return with a championship."

Ethan Ringel (No. 71)
"Honestly, I'm sad that the season is almost over. It feels like it just started a few weeks ago to me. I've enjoyed racing in this series so much and I can't wait to return with some experience behind me. As for the final round this weekend, I'm confident that my car is good and I'll finally be able to use some of the things I've learned for the road courses, so I'm excited to see where we end up."

Scott Anderson (No. 77)
"With Laguna being the final races of the season, we need to end on a high note. We've had some pretty bad luck the last couple of weekends that hurt us in the points big time, so finishing up front in both races will be vital. Mazda Raceway may be my favorite track, so I'm really excited to end the season there."

Team Social Media
Website: www.SPMindycar.com
Twitter: @SPMindycar
Instagram: @SPMindycar
Facebook: Schmidt Peterson Motorsports

Driver Social Media
Scott Anderson
Website - www.ScottAndersonRacing.com
Twitter - @ScottDKAnderson
Facebook - Official Scott Anderson Racing
Instagram - @scanders01

Heamin Choi
Website - www.F1Pilot.com
Twitter - @HeaminChoi
Facebook - Heamin Choi

RC Enerson
Website - www.RCenerson.com
Twitter - @RCenerson
Facebook - RC Enerson Racing
Instagram - @RCenerson

Jack Harvey
Website - www.JackHarveyRacing.com
Twitter - @Jack_Harvey42
Instagram - @Jack_Harvey42

Ethan Ringel
Website - www.EthanRingelRacing.com
Twitter - @EthanRingel
Facebook - Ethan Ringel Racing
Instagram - @EthanRingelRacing

Fan Opportunities
Indy Lights presented by Cooper Tires autograph session with Scott Anderson, Heamin Choi, RC Enerson, Jack Harvey and Ethan Ringel: Sunday, September 13 from 12:30-1 p.m. PST

About Schmidt Peterson Motorsports
Schmidt Peterson Motorsports (SPM) was established in 2001 and is owned by former IndyCar driver Sam Schmidt and Canadian businessman Ric Peterson. Schmidt was paralyzed (quad) in 2000 after an accident during testing at Walt Disney World Speedway in Orlando, Fla. SPM fields cars in the Verizon IndyCar Series, including the Indianapolis 500, and the Indy Lights Series presented by Cooper Tires. SPM is the most successful team in Indy Lights Series history with sixty-five race wins and seven championships. In addition, SPM won the coveted Indy 500 pole position in 2011, and has won five Verizon IndyCar Series races between 2013 and 2015.

About Conquer Paralysis Now:
Conquer Paralysis Now is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization with a mission to cure paralysis, formerly known as the Sam Schmidt Paralysis Foundation. The organization is leading the charge for a cure through funding scientific research, medical treatment and technological advances benefiting those paralyzed by spinal cord injuries, stroke or diseases such as ALS, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's or in other ways. For more information, visit conquerparalysisnow.org .